Aloha's Thomas Tyner (4) should not let himself get stampeded while making a choice about his educational future.Doug Beghtel/The Oregonian

I feel sorry for Thomas Tyner, the Aloha High School running back who is living his life in the harsh glare of a media spotlight.

Thomas is 18, in the first half of his senior year, and being treated like a tabloid idol such as Brad Pitt or Jennifer Aniston.

Tyner originally said he was going to attend the University of Oregon, which was big news because he is regarded as one of the top prep running back prospects in the country.

Then Tyner did what many high school seniors do. He reconsidered his original decision. That is his right. He hasn't signed anything. He hasn't ruled out Oregon. He just wanted to take another look at his options.

Yesterday, Tyner told a recruiting website he was again fully committed to Oregon.

Tomorrow, who knows? Nothing will be official until he signs in February.

My daughter went back and forth between Texas Christian and Oregon for months. At one point, she was sure she was headed to TCU. Eventually, she went to Oregon. It wasn't a big deal outside our family.

But Tyner is a celebrity in the world of football fans and recruiting websites. His tweets set off shock waves.

The Oregonian's John Canzano wrote about Tyner for this morning's paper. Canzano wants Tyner to stay in state, to pick Oregon State if he ultimately decides not to go to Oregon.

Canzano described Tyner this way:

"Let's get one thing straight: Tyner is a can't-miss prospect. He's strong.
He's fast. He's gifted with a football. Right now, Tyner's game nights
consist of everyone in the stadium knowing he's getting the ball,
including the opposing defense. He's scored 29 rushing touchdowns this
season and left too many dropped jaws to count under those
circumstances."

I've seen other "can't miss" prospects. I'm old enough to remember Kevin Willhite, who went to Oregon with great fanfare and never become a marquee back. I saw Lache Seastrunk arrive in Eugene as a recruitnik's superstar and fail to measure up.

What if the "can't miss" guy does miss?

The stakes are being raised past a point that is healthy for an 18-year-old with his entire life before him.

I hope Tyner takes his time and makes the college choice that is best for him and his future. I hope that choice isn't just about football. I hope he picks a school at which he fits in academically and socially. Once there, I hope he takes advantage of the scholarship to get an education.

Willhite was the Tyner of his day. Now he is the answer to a trivia question.

Fame is fleeing. Football won't last. Fans who pore over the recruiting rankings will move onto the next "can't miss" prospect.

So, a little perspective please. Let's remember Tyner is not an object. He is not a uniform number. He is not a character in a video game.